IMAX: A pointless controversy

Museum officials made a reasonable decision when they opted for Global Immersion instead of IMAX as an anchor for the new downtown Riverfront Museum.

If it’s really true that Global Immersion offers greater flexibility in terms of programming, lower operating costs and more up-to-date technology, what is so terrible about abandoning IMAX?

And if some kind of conspiratorial “bait and switch” is going on, what exactly is the motivation? Why abandon IMAX if it’s really the better choice for Peoria?

Let’s assume the worst: That a downtown museum is all about ego. Civic leaders simply want to look good by supporting a museum. How is it in their self-interest to do anything but due diligence and back the best choice for the city?

Much of the criticism about the IMAX decision is being made by people who did not want the museum, who think the city should restrict its interests to basic services. I’m not sympathetic; the issue has been thoroughly — even tiresomely — debated as well as being offered to public vote. What more is needed?

Author: Gary Panetta

2 thoughts on “IMAX: A pointless controversy”

The whole reason for moving the contents of Lakeview Museum to this new location was that it was going to attract people from far and wide who would dump hundreds of thousands of dollars into the Peoria coffers. In the past two years (since the sales tax vote), EVERY part of the museum has been down-scaled. The planetarium will be no different than what is currently at Lakeview. The water feature at Discovery Worlds has been scaled back (although I’m sure the police chief is happy it no longer includes a shooting gallery!). Even the African-American Hall of Fame has gone from an audio exhibit of Richard Pryor and Fibber McGee to a wall with their pictures on it. Let’s face it—having a brand name like IMAX was the museum’s only selling point left. Even the consultants they paid $150,000 said that it would be difficult for the museum to even break even if an “alternate vendor is chosen”.
No, it has nothing to do with better technology, or even anyone’s ego. The museum group went with Bob’s Big Screen instead of IMAX because it is CHEAPER. The group does NOT have the money to properly outfit the building they tricked Peoria County taxpayers into paying for.
I really pity the person who has to write the promotional pieces for this place. S/He doesn’t have much to work with.